Six things to look out for at the 6th edition of India Art Fair

The sixth edition of the India Art Fair opens this week and we’ve decided to give our readers a little preview of what’s in store. The India Art fair is one of the subcontinents most important platforms, showcasing modern and contemporary art practices from India and abroad. Apart from exploring the Indian market, the fair exposes local and international artists to collectors, gallerists, curators and the public. This year, in addition to incorporating 91 booths, the fair has organised a series of collateral art projects and events both in the fair grounds and around Delhi. Celebrating its sixth edition, we’ve handpicked six things that are definitely worth looking out for.

Speakers Forum
The Speakers Forum draws its subject of discussion from Asia’s steadily growing art practices. A panel of experts from within Asia and abroad will address topics as varied as identity politics within art to the role, reception and future of contemporary art practices. Speakers will include critical theorist Homi Bhabha, internationally acclaimed artists Bharti Kher, Jitish Kallat, Dayanita Singh; director of London’s Tate Modern, Chris Dercon; President of Palais de Tokyo, Jean de Loisy and curator Geeta Kapoor. “The speakers forum 2014 has invited thinkers who have transformed the way art is received,’ says Gayatri Sinha of the speakers and moderators. Starting January 31, eight sessions focusing on different concerns and will run through each afternoon until February 2.

Dayanita Singh, File Room
The internationally celebrated artist, voted  ‘Artist of the year 2013’ on our own Artesign Awards, Dayanita Singh will create a rather elaborate work for the India Art Fair 2014. The artist will construct a special structure for the File Room, a work designed to be exhibited as well as read. The space is based on her work at the Venice Biennale 2013, as well as the structure of Museum Bhavan at the Hayward in 2013. The idea of the book is central to Dayanita’s practice and became the reason for the artist’s use of photography. The artist will even be present for a special session each day at 5pm, where she will customise copies of the same book for anyone who wishes to buy one. This is one book I’d be happy to line up for.

Insert2014
This series of encounters with contemporary art takes place at cultural sites across Delhi until February 28. Within its purview are several exhibits, symposiums and performances. Its central focus will be an exhibition of 20 critically acclaimed artists like Rirkrit Tiravanija, Gauri Gill and Kendell Geers at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts. Curated by Raqs Media Collective, Insert2014 is an attempt to renew the position of the artist as the one that questions the status quo and generates new ideas.

Word Sound Power
Delhi’s Khoj International Artists’ Association, an alternative art space known for promoting and supporting some of the most experimental art practices will joins hands with Tate Modern’s Loren Hansi Momudu for an exhibition at Khoj form January 15 to February 8. “This collaboration points towards an interest shared by both the Tate and Khoj in socio political issues of migration, political expression and its articulation through voice and silence,” says Khoj Director, Pooja Sood. The works on view will include an interactive performance by artist Mithu Sen. In I Am A Poet the artists questions the relationship between language, word and meaning.

L.N. Tallur, Path Finder
Bangalore born Tallur often creates works that expose the absurdity of everyday life. While he often uses Indian signs and symbols, Tallur’s work manages to translate its subject matter of social utilitarianism to a far more diverse audience. For this edition of the Indian Art Fair, the artist has created a work that presents a parable of the spiritual seeker. Path Finder, consists of the figure of a middle aged man, who confronts a spinning car tire that sprays wet clay onto him as it turns. The work appears humourous but resonates with a cynical critic of life itself.

Museums at India Art Fair
This year the India Art fair has also tied up with two major museums; the Mark Rothko Centre in Daugavpils, Latvia  and the Himalayas Art Museum, Shanghai. Located in the Daugavpils fortress, the Mark Rothko Centre is the only place in Eastern Europe where the original masterpieces of the famous abstract expressionist can be found. The Himalayas Art Museum is a non-profit institute that focuses on art education and exhibition. It also works to create cultural communication and collaboration between China and other countries.

And if this isn’t enough to satiate your appetite for the arts, Jose Garcia Miquet’s installation Tears of Portugal,  Anindita Dutta’s energetic performances; Listen Up! India’s first ever sound project and Riyas Komu’s project might do the trick.

Delhi Dames
Delhi is currently paying homage to some highly acclaimed women artists. After reinstating the late Nasreen Mohamedi within Indian art history with a comprehensive show, the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art will open a three-part retrospective of Nalini Malani’s work on the 29th of this month. Last week Zarina Hashmi’s solo show Folding House opened at the Gallery Espace.  And Ranjani Shetter’s Between Sky And Earth at the Talwar gallery opening on the 28th is also something we’re looking forward to.

Chemould’s fourth edition
Cabinet Closet Wunderkammer, the fourth in Chemoulds Aesthetic Bind series opened last Monday. The show curated by Geeta Kapur features artists like Atul Dodiya, Shilpa Gupta, Prajakta Potnis, Mithu Sen and many more. If you haven’t been following the series, this show is definitely not to be missed!